Requirements for B.S. Degree with a

Major in Middle Grades Education (6-9)

The Middle Grades Program is designed for the student:


    (1) to have the knowledge and understanding necessary to become experts on the Teacher Education Program's knowledge base and reflect the expectations of professional practices;

    (2) to have a broad general education with a solid core of knowledge in two subject areas (language arts, social studies, science, mathematics) enough to competently teach and extend the North Carolina Standard Course of Study in the two specific subject areas;

    (3) to understand the unique nature of the middle school and how it is different from the elementary and high school;

    (4) to understand the unique nature of the young adolescent learner and how that influences curriculum and instruction in the middle school;

    (5) to have a clear, working knowledge of the concept of developmentally responsive models of middle level schooling;

    (6) to demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to people of diverse backgrounds (race, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, handicapping conditions, special needs);

    (7) to participate in a series of increasingly complex field experiences designed to develop and refine skills in managing all aspects of the middle grades teacher's role and to provide the conditions for cognitive-developmental growth;

    (8) to develop the habit of reflecting on experience as a basis for decision-making and as a component of professional growth; and

    (9) to understand the unique developmental needs of young adolescents.



The following course of study, along with Basic Course Requirements, meets North Carolina requirements for initial licensure in grades 6-9. A student must CHOOSE TWO areas of specialization from the following:



Language Arts Specialization, 30 hrs.

9 hours: ENGL 101 and 102; 231 or 232
ENGL 211 or 212; 251; EDUC 305; EDUC 320
Electives (9 hrs) - Choose one course from literature; and two from journalism, drama, and theater

Mathematics Specialization, 28 hrs.
3 hours: MATH 105
MATH 110, 150, 151, 204, 205, 230
Math Elective (6 hrs)

Social Studies Specialization, 33 hrs.
9 hours: HIST 101, 102, SSCI 205
HIST 201, 245, 345, 353, POLS 202, ECON 203, SSED 307
Social Sciences Elective (3 hrs)

Science Specialization, 30-31 hrs.
8 hours: BIOL 103, CHEM 103
PHYS 103, PHYS 104, BIOL 104, GEOL 105, SCED 330
Natural Sciences Elective (3-4 hrs)*
*BIOL 101 Human Biology is recommended

NOTE: Students will not be permitted to complete more than 50% of the middle grades education major until they are formally admitted into the Teacher Education Program.

Required minor for Middle Grades Education
The required minor in Professional Education consists of EDUC 201, 301, 313, 316, 325, 401, 431, 440, 450, and PSYC 302, 303.

NOTE: Students will not be permitted to complete more that 50% of the Professional Education minor until they are formally admitted into the Teacher Education Program.